Research Grants Accountant

Position Overview

Merrimack College is a rapidly growing regional university pursuing high research classification. The mission of the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs (ORSP) is to develop and maintain an infrastructure that supports the College’s strategic research goals and increased sponsored research.

The Research Grants Accountant will be responsible for the fiscal administration of externally funded projects including grants, contracts, and special projects. Their primary responsibilities are to assist principal investigators and administrative staff in navigating through the fiscal and regulatory requirements related to sponsored projects, as well as tracking, reporting and invoicing grant expenditures. The Research Grants Accountant position will work closely with the ORSP staff and Principal Investigators (PIs) to ensure compliance with Merrimack College, federal, and state guidelines regarding grant and contract administration.

Primary Responsibilities:

This incumbent will work in ORSP, and will be independently responsible for award administration including award set up, management, and closeout for contracts and grants in their assigned portfolio. They will be responsible for independently making day-to-day decisions regarding the assigned sponsored project portfolio. Tasks will include:

• Producing customized reports and queries to verify all charges are appropriate.
• Regularly updating revenue status for each project.
• Reconciling ledger groups.
• Consulting with the ORSP Director regarding improper findings, such as negative balances, over-expenditures, etc.
• Maintaining a project file with all associated backup documentation.
• Providing financial information to all applicable departments to ensure proper joint award management.
• Communicating with PIs, Schools, sponsor representatives, and others in a courteous and professional manner to resolve problems, communicate changes, and seek or provide guidance.
• Monitoring awards for compliance with university, state, and federal rules and regulations, and any sponsor-imposed restrictions.
• Performing awards set up and modification of existing awards, including interpreting and reviewing award documents from federal, state, for profit, and non-profit sponsors.
• Preparing and booking journal entries, as appropriate, for each grant
• Other duties as assigned.

Award Interpretation includes:

1. Determining the proper award payment type (fixed fee, cost reimbursable, etc.).
2. Ascertaining the type of award (contract, grant, cooperative agreement, etc.).
3. Establishing an appropriate billing and review schedule to ensure proper award administration.

Award Review includes:

1. Verifying the accuracy of the NOA and award profile.
2. Communicating any inconsistencies or inaccuracies and ensuring corrections are made.
3. Monitoring effort reporting process and cost sharing.
4. Assisting with internal and external audits.

Qualifications:

• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to effectively communicate grant administration and management processes and procedures required of PI/PD.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, to respond to new situations, and to adapt to an evolving portfolio.
• Must possess a high level of accuracy, organization skills, and be detail oriented.
• Excellent interpersonal, problem-solving and collaboration skills.
• Understanding of academic research faculty needs; partnering with individual faculty/PIs to create/manage their financial needs, related to grants.
• Ability to learn new software and technologies quickly.
• Knowledge of general and sponsored programs accounting principles and practices; applications related to financial reporting (database, spreadsheet, word processing); general office practices and procedures, accounting and budget procedures and practices.
• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting or a related field from an accredited college or University
• Experience: Minimum of 3 years of hands-on post award grant administration experience along with knowledge of Federal OMB Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200) and federal acquisitions regulations (FAR).

Application Materials Should Include:

• Cover letter stating motivation and interest in the position, citing experience relevant to the qualifications and including experience with, and commitment to, our Catholic Augustinian mission, our values, and our desire to be a more diverse, equitable and inclusive institution of higher learning
• Resume
• Names and contact information for three (3) references.

This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminal background check.

Vaccinations and Work Location

This is an on-campus position as employees are essential in order to provide a fully on-campus, residential college experience for our students and the community.

The COVID-19 vaccine and booster for which an individual may be eligible are highly recommended for students, faculty and staff. Merrimack College does not require proof of COVID vaccination for enrollment, employment or to be a guest on our campus. 

Statement on Our Mission

Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education committed to building a culturally and racially diverse community. Our mission is to enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired by our Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry and dialogue.

Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect and can contribute to Merrimack’s Catholic and Augustinian mission and values and advance our work in the area of diversity, equity and inclusion. We strongly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups. All candidates should describe in their application previous experience related to equity, diversity, and inclusion, as well as how they will engage in fostering a culture that supports our Catholic and Augustinian mission and our values of diversity, equity and inclusion.

About Merrimack College

The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England, Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with more than 4,000 undergraduate and 1,400 graduate students from 32 states and 37 countries. The College features more than 100 career-focused undergraduate, professional and graduate programs, all taught by exceptional faculty who are passionate about their subject and student success. The College has five schools: arts and sciences, engineering and computational sciences, nursing and health sciences, the Winston school of education and social policy and the Girard school of business. The College’s suburban 240-acre campus is approximately 25 miles north of Boston in the towns of North Andover and Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Master’s Colleges and Universities/Larger Programs (M1) institution in the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest growing educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up in the U.S. News & World Report’s ranking of Best Colleges, ranking 33rd in the Regional Universities North category in 2024. Merrimack is a NCAA Division I athletic institution.

Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.